Transcript Lecture - St. John Vianney High School

The Era of George Washington
“’tis the event which I have long dreaded”
-George Washington on his Presidential election
Washington as President
• Ideas vs. Practice
• As President, Washington guided the new
government as it applied the ideas expressed
in the Constitution to create a functioning
federal republic.
• Washington faced several major
challenges.
Washington at time of
his Presidency
• He had to define the authority of the central
government
• create a stable economic system,
• build a military,
• maintain national security,
• conduct foreign relations,
• enter into treaties with several Indian tribes.
Creating a Cabinet
Washington’s cabinet:
Thomas Jefferson-Sec of State
Alexander Hamilton-Sec of Treasury
Henry Knox-Sec of War
Edmund Randolph-Attorney General
• The Constitution
allowed the President to
appoint officials in
charge of executive
departments. The
officials Washington
appointed met with him
in what came to be
known as the Cabinet.
Judiciary Act of 1789
First supreme court
chief justice Jon Jay
• One of Washington’s greatest
accomplishments was helping create
the federal court systems
• 1789 law that created the Judicial
Branch of the federal government.
Among the things provided for in the
Act:
• The number of members of the
Supreme Court (6—since grown to
9)
• The number of lower district courts
(13)
• The Supreme Court can settle
disputes between states
• A decision by the Supreme Court is
final.
Economic Struggles
• The most pressing problems facing
Washington’s government were
economic.
• As a result of the American
Revolution, the national
government owed $54 million.
• The states owed another $24
million.
• The paper money issued by the
Continental Congress and the
Articles of Confederation was
worthless.
• These issues fall to Hamilton
to address
Alexander Hamilton’s Plan
• Repay the debt--Hamilton believed the
national government should pay off the
debts of both the states and the previous
national government in order to establish the
nation’s credit.
• National Bank--Hamilton proposed creation
of a national bank as a place to deposit taxes,
to provide a sound currency, and to make
loans to the national government
• Whiskey Tax--Hamilton proposed a tax on
whiskey to raise money from western
farmers.
• Protective Tariff—Hamilton asked
Congress to pass a high tariff-a tax on
imported foreign goods which would protect
American industries from foreign
Rise of Political Parties
• Hamilton’s program was strongly opposed by Thomas Jefferson,
Washington’s Secretary of State.
• Jefferson believed Hamilton’s plan would just benefit wealthy Americans
since speculators had bought up much of the debt.
• They also felt that the Constitution did not give the federal government
the right to create a national bank.
• This disagreement gave rise to America’s first political parties – associations
that try to elect their members to government offices so that they will pass
laws favorable to their ideas.
• Hamilton’s followers became known as the Federalists.
• Jefferson’s supporters called themselves the Democratic-Republicans.
• Their disagreements were heightened by the outbreak of a revolution in
France, where commoners rebelled against the king and nobles.
Defeat of the Protective Tariff
All of Hamilton’s program
was approved except for
the proposed tariff.
Southern states opposed
high tariff rates because
tariffs would make it
harder for Southerners to
sell their crops to Britain
and to buy British goods.
The Whiskey Rebellion
• 1791- at Hamilton’s
urging, Congress
imposes direct tax on
whiskey
• Summer 1794- rebellion
in western Penn.
• President Washington
leads 15,000 troops to
put down rebels
• Why important?
• GW firmly established
authority of new govt.
Washington clearly
demonstrates “commanderin-chief”
Foreign Policy Under Washington
• During Washington’s Presidency,
the revolution in France became
increasingly violent.
• The revolutionaries overthrew and
executed the French King.
• War between France and Britain then
broke out in 1793.
• Thomas Jefferson supported helping
the French
• Hamilton were able to persuade
Washington that this was a
European war.
• Washington finally became convinced
that there was nothing to be gained if
the United States involved itself in this
European conflict.
Chaos in France
Neutrality Act
• Washington adopted a policy of neutrality – the
United States would avoid taking sides in any
European conflict or becoming involved in any
foreign war.
• Many French felt the Americans owed them help
including the French ambassador to U.S. Edmond
Genet who tried to recruit American ships to aide the
French.
• Washington sent a complaint to Genet, who quickly
backed down.
• Meanwhile, John Jay negotiated a treaty with Britain to
promote trade. Seemed like a conflict of interest
• Thomas Pinckney negotiated another treaty with
Spain, settling America’s borders.
• The new treaty gave U.S. citizens the right to ship goods
along the Mississippi River, all the way down to the
port of New Orleans.
Washington Leaves Office
• Washington asked to
run for 3rd term,
refuses (sets
precedent)
• Writes Farewell
Address before
leaving
• Warns against
sectionalism, political
parties, entangling
foreign alliances
Washington retires to Mount
Vernon after serving as
President